Earth Goddess

by Crystal Inman

  “Two months.”

  May heard Eden’s voice but could scarcely credit the words. She blinked. “Pardon me?”

  “We will finish this project in two months.” Eden’s brown eyes never wavered. She smiled and held up her hand. “Before you tell me it can’t be done, I will simply say that yes it can.”

  May looked at Wilda. Then she glanced over at Tempest and Kendra. “Is she always like this?”

  Kendra laughed, and it reminded May of wind chimes in the breeze. “Yes, she is. A bit hardheaded, our Eden.” She paused. “But when she says it will be done, she’s not kidding.”

  May thought about everything that needed work and looked at the four women again. “I can see Eden as a gardener, but I have a hard time picturing the rest of you playing in the dirt. I simply want to make sure that none of us are wasting our time here. I have other clients that depend on me. I can’t reassess the numbers for this business repeatedly.”

  “We will not be a problem child for you, May.” Eden stood and walked over to the etched glass facing out. She traced a flower slowly. “We will be an exemplary client.” She turned and studied May. “We discussed giving you a key to the business. This will be for supply orders and whatnot. Do you mind this in addition to your accounting duties?”

  May tried to school her features to not give away her excitement. It wouldn’t do to tip her hand, but she couldn’t wait to plunge her hands into the dirt and see the stock arrive. A nursery of this magnitude would be like her own little agricultural mecca. The time might be a factor, but not if she arranged her schedule accordingly. Did she mind? Hell, she’d donate a kidney if asked.

  She took another drink and studied the women. Hard to believe four completely different women were sisters. May would bet good money that Tempest had never touched dirt. Never mind been interested enough in it to begin a business. Fair Kendra didn’t seem enthused with the clean-up detail, but said not a word when Eden assured her they would do it.

  And Wilda? Simply put, a force of nature. May didn’t doubt that Wilda could charm the spots off a leopard. They were a strong group. Which brought her to Eden.

  Something inexplicable moved in her. Had they met before? A niggling in her thoughts. A tiny tug that creased her brow. It would bother her until she remembered.

  She had no doubts that Eden meant what she said. A magnificent nursery in her own little town. May hugged the thought to her chest. There really wasn’t much she wouldn’t do.

  “I don’t mind lending a hand where I can.” May nodded slightly. “And with that in mind, might I have a discount on items purchased?”

  A broad smile spread across Eden’s face for the first time. Her dark brown eyes shone in pleasure. “May, we’ll work out a deal you’ll never regret.” She extended her hand, and May hesitantly took it. No flashbacks. Simply a certainty she made the right decision.

  May looked around the room with a smile. “If you furnish me with a schedule, I’ll make sure that whatever you need is done. Is that suitable?”

  “Extremely.” Wilda opened up a small door and withdrew a piece of paper she handed to May. “The first task is to begin Monday. We have a crew coming to clean up the grounds. The building will be ours to work with. When the grounds crew finishes, we will have another task ready. We are expecting our first delivery Wednesday. We will be out of town. That is the first day we need you.”

  May studied the paper. She wondered who would be working the grounds when Eden spoke up and disrupted her thoughts.

  “Wilda told us that there may be a problem with the stairs here.” Her brown eyes softened.

  The statement startled May. She had been in the room the entire time with the women. Wilda never said a word. The paper slipped from her hand, and Eden bent to pick it up.

  “I had an accident when I was younger.” May took the piece of paper and set it on the table. “My right leg is badly injured. I honestly don’t know how I managed the stairs in the first place.” She nodded her head toward Wilda. “I think your sister took my mind off it for a bit. I don’t know if I will be able to traverse the stairs by myself. I may be of little use to you.”

  “You have great value to us, May.”

  May blinked at the odd choice of words. “That’s extremely flattering, ladies.” She smiled. “But unless you plan on having a lift here or a sister to distract me, I’m not sure I can help.” The smile faded. In the excitement she had completely forgotten about her disability.

  Eden sat down and folded her hands together on the table. “Your leg is a concern in the fact it may cause you pain while you look out for our interests. That is unacceptable.” She paused. “We have a healer we use for our family. Would it be alright if he looked at your injury?”

  May stiffened in her chair. How many years had it been since she had seen a doctor? At least a decade. After the last round of rehabilitation with no results, she simply quit going. If she needed another prescription, she simply called the doctor’s office, and they took care of it.

  Opening herself up to another examination by an unknown doctor scared the hell out of her. And it would probably be a waste of time. May had been told repeatedly the nerves were dead and of no use to her.

  She forced a smile. “Thank you for the offer. But I’ve seen several doctors. The prognosis is the same. I will never have full use of my right leg. The nerves from the injury are dead.”

  Eden opened her mouth, but Wilda sat down on the other side of May and held up her hand. “Our healer is unlike any other. We are not offering miracles, May.” She grinned. “Not today, anyway. We simply ask you to consider this offer in the manner it is intended. It has been some time since you have been checked, has it not?”

  May arched her eyebrow. “You’re extremely spooky. You realize that, right?”

  Wilda chuckled. “It’s a gift.”

  May sighed and looked around at the sisters. What harm would it do? One look and this doctor would assure her clients she had spoken the truth. The matter would be taken care of and not have to be addressed again. She held up her hands. “I give.”

  The tension in the room eased considerably.

  “He will be here Wednesday and waiting for you when you arrive.” Eden pushed a small piece of paper over to her. “There will be no fee. We will make sure he is compensated.”

  “You’re spoiling me.” May took the paper without looking at it and slid it into her black case. She glanced outside and saw the rain falling in earnest. No gardening for her today. Maybe she would go home and begin work on the newest figures for the nursery.

  “You’re anxious to leave.” Kendra stood and walked toward her. A low rumble of thunder shook the building, and she stopped in her tracks. Kendra glanced outside and smiled in sheer joy. “Oh, look at it,” she breathed.

  May pushed the chair back and stood slowly. “I’m glad you like it. That’s all it seems to do here lately. Makes it a bit hard to work on my personal gardening.”

  Kendra walked over to the etched window and placed her hand against it. “It will be a wet spring.” Large rivulets slid down the glass and seemed to center where Kendra’s palm lay.

  May blinked and squinted to catch a better look when Eden patted her hand. “I actually have something else for you, May. It’s in my office. Wait here, and I will be back with it.”

  May nodded and looked back toward the glass, but Kendra had her hands at her sides. Tempest cleared her throat. “We would love to see your garden, May.” She moved forward and held out a bright green umbrella. “I think you’ll need this now.”

  “Thanks.” May took the umbrella with a smile. “You ladies are extremely prepared, aren’t you?”

  Wilda nodded. “We have waited a long time for this, May Fairchild. Luck favors the prepared. Wouldn’t you agree?”

  “I would.”

  The office door opened again, and Eden stepped out. May’s eyes widened in excitement. Eden held a small emerald-green plant in a pot no bigger than a shot glass.
The color so vibrant, it almost hurt her eyes to look at it. Eden walked closer, and May studied the amazing plant. In all her years as a gardener, she had never seen its like.

  The shoot was perhaps two inches tall. A small four-pronged leaf on each side. The veins of the leaves were a bright amber that reflected the light in the room.

  Eden held it out, and May took it reverently. She lifted her eyes from the plant. “What type of plant is this? I’ve never seen anything like it.”

  “I dabble in the horticultural arts.” Eden winked. “This is my own hybrid. I’m still working on it. But I thought someone so like-minded would appreciate it.”

  “It’s gorgeous,” May murmured and stroked the silky leaves. “Thank you.”

  Wilda moved forward. “I will see you out, May. You’re probably anxious to get home and take a look at the new numbers.”

  May cocked her head to the side. “Spooky.”

  Wilda laughed. “I certainly can be.” She cupped May’s elbow, and they walked toward the front door.

  “Don’t forget your appointment Wednesday!” Tempest reminded her and waved.

  May returned the wave and then stopped in her tracks. The doors. Curiosity bit at her. She turned. “I noticed the hand-carved doors. Wilda said they were a gift. May I ask from whom?”

  Eden stiffened. But Kendra only smiled. Her blue eyes softened. “Our father is an artisan. His gift is that of creation. The doors were a gift in this venture.”

  “I have a painting of exactly the same thing.” May motioned to the door. “Not the front door. But this one. The four women reaching for something that is just out of their reach.” Complete silence in the room. May arched an eyebrow. “Is that somehow symbolic? Is he wanting you to get a job?” She paused. “And isn’t it odd that I have the same painting?”

  Wilda shrugged. “Father is prolific. His art is all over the world. We have met others who have his work.” She smiled. “And it’s a lovely coincidence that you are one of them.”

  “It’s a gorgeous painting.” May met Wilda’s eyes. “Can you please tell him that I think he is extremely gifted?”

  “I would be honored.”

  May nodded. “Okay. I’ve taken up enough of your time.” She glanced at Wilda. “I really need to go home and look at the new numbers.”

  Wilda grinned. “I will see you to your car.”

  They left the office and came to the top of the landing. May looked down the stairs and clenched the plant and her case tighter. Fear spiraled through her. The first trip she had been unaware. Now fully aware that one misstep, and she would be at the bottom in a heap.

  “Can’t distract you this time, can I?”

  May shook her head back and forth, her eyes still on the stairs. “I don’t mean to be so melodramatic.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” Wilda snapped.

  May turned her head to study the furious redhead. It’s a wonder the paint didn’t peel off the walls. Her emerald eyes glinted in the lamplight, and she scowled. Anger rode high in her cheeks.

  “Wow.” May half-smiled. “Remind me not to piss you off.”

  Wilda breathed in deeply. “I’m sorry. My temper is practically legendary.” She brushed her red hair back and pursed her lips. “I am not upset with you, May. You need never apologize to me.” She cupped May’s elbow again. “The stairs are a test of sorts. That is how you must look at them.” They stepped on the first step. “You are stronger than them. They are simply a means to an end. They will serve you.” They continued their descent. “I imagine you have had many stairs in your life, haven’t you?”

  May nodded. A perfect comparison. From the moment she woke up in the hospital, her life had been full of stairs. Flights and flights of them. Some she attempted to walk up. Some she crawled. And some she simply turned around and left alone.

  She even bought a two-story house to prove to herself that she was capable of besting them. Unfortunately, the last little journey up the stairs ended in her crawling up and scooting down. May stumbled a bit, and Wilda stopped for a second.

  “It is only when we don’t try that we fail, May. There is no shame in crawling. As long as you are heading in the right direction.”

  May stopped in her tracks and looked at Wilda. They were somehow at the front door. She turned in shock. “How did you…”

  Wilda smiled and opened the door. “I look forward to our next meeting.”

  May stepped outside, and the door closed behind her. She took a minute to get her bearings and opened her umbrella. The rain fell in steady sheets. The meeting certainly ranked as one of the oddest and most beneficial she ever had. May came out with a new client, a new plant, and a doctor’s appointment. She walked to her car and opened the passenger door. The plant sat comfortably in her cup holder, and she placed her case on the passenger seat. Then she closed the door and went around to the driver’s side.

  May shook her head and started her car. She drove home with her head full of her new client’s plans.

  * * * *

  The sisters watched May drive away.

  Eden blew out a breath, and Tempest turned on her. “Were you trying to give her a heart attack?” Her dark blue eyes blazed. “That was entirely too risky.”

  “I couldn’t shield her,” Eden murmured and touched the window. “The instant we touched, I tried. But the connection was too strong.” She turned and faced her sisters. “I would not intentionally harm her.”

  Wilda put her arm around Eden. “We know, sister. But your touch has given her more than she realizes. We must be careful.”

  “She saw Father’s doors.” Kendra pulled her hair from its ponytail and ran her fingers through the fine, blond tendrils. “No mortal can gaze upon his work and recognize it. To others, it would simply be a scarred door. She saw it.” Kendra smiled. “She saw us.”

  Eden sighed and rubbed her temple. “This is harder than I anticipated. How did you three manage?”

  Wilda tapped her cheek. “First, we didn’t try to steamroll our mortals.” She arched a delicate eyebrow. “What in the world were you thinking?”

  Eden threw up her hands. “I had been thinking this was my last shot. I panicked. I had been afraid she would refuse.” She paced. “I almost blew it, didn’t I?” She stopped in her tracks and looked at Wilda. “You seem to be getting along with her famously. Why don’t you take point?”

  “Quit being so silly.” Wilda rolled her eyes. “The spark in her appeals to me. The temper she holds in check would rival mine if let loose. Her persistence appeals to Tempest.” Tempest smiled and nodded. “And her compassion appeals to Kendra. May’s ability to care for others.” Kendra bowed her head in assent. Wilda’s voice strengthened. “But make no mistake, sister. She is yours. The mortal girl with the goddess touch.”

  “Her leg worsens instead of mends.” Eden’s brown eyes were shadowed. “She pushes herself to exhaustion. The pills do not help. They only render her oblivious and consume hours of her life.” She paused. “I will call the healer. But if I do, he will know what I have done.”

  Tempest looked at her compassionately, but her words were decisive. “Even goddesses have consequences, Eden. I know you don’t want to be indebted to him, but what choice do you have?”

  Eden grimaced and looked at her grinning sisters. “You’re all enjoying this far too much.”

  Wilda’s emerald eyes twinkled. “You and Asclepius? Together again? Are you kidding me? I should sell tickets.”

  Eden glared but was saved a response by her sisters simultaneously leaving. “Yeah, you better leave,” Eden muttered. Worthless siblings. Deserting her in her hour of need. She sighed and ran her fingers through her thick chestnut hair. A mortal that could save her, a former lover that still held her heart, and a business to put together in two months. Did goddesses have nervous breakdowns?

  Chapter 5

  Since it was still raining, May pulled into her garage and shut the door behind her. She carefully picked up her new plant and bru
shed her lips across the stalk. “You’re a stunner, aren’t you?” Her brown eyes took in every detail. The forest-green color was striking enough without adding in the attention to detail in the leaves. A miniature beauty.

  She opened her door and stood carefully. No way in hell would she drop the precious little flora in the palm of her hand. May set it on the washer and grinned like a proud mother. It almost glowed in the dim light. She turned and ducked back in her car to retrieve her black case. Once she had it, she shut her car door and blew out a breath.

  Almost four. May tilted her head to the side. It had been a longer meeting than she thought. She lost all track of time. And not once on the way home did she even look down at the clock in her car. Odd, really.

  May shrugged and grabbed her treasure. No matter. She had plenty to keep her occupied for the rest of the evening. An in-depth investigation of her new client’s numbers. A little search for the parent plants of her newest botany baby. It would be a busy night.

  She glanced up and stopped in her tracks. Stairs. Only three of them. Just a little trip from the garage up into her house. Most days, she would simply park in the driveway and not concern herself with the step nuisance.

  May paused for a second. Yes, her right leg ached. No, not unbearably. Hell, it’s only three steps, right? She stiffened her backbone and shuffled over. The black case over her left arm, and the plant in her left hand. She grabbed at the doorframe with her right hand and brought her left foot up.

  Before she knew it, she stood in her hallway. May felt a tear slide down her face before she even realized she was crying. Her hand shook for a second before she steadied it. That one trip from her garage to her hallway did a hell of a lot more for her than years of rehabilitation therapy. Her right leg ached a bit, and she set her case and plant on the nearest table.

  “I did it.” May brushed her hair back from her face and wiped away her tears. “Not exactly a marathon but a nice start.” Her lips trembled, and she stilled them. She would be damned if she would fall apart in her hallway.